Assembly configuration for devices for exchanging heat

ABSTRACT

An assembly configuration for devices for exchanging heat, having at least a first device for exchanging heat, having at least an inlet for a first fluid medium, a header and/or distributor tube for the first fluid medium, a plurality of first flow-through devices for the first fluid medium, a header and at least an outlet for the first fluid medium, and further, adjacent the first device for exchanging heat, at least a second device for exchanging heat having at least an inlet for a second fluid medium, a header and/or distributor tube for the second fluid medium, a plurality of flow-through devices for the second fluid medium, and at least an outlet for the second fluid medium.

The present invention relates to an assembly configuration for devicesfor exchanging heat, in particular for motor vehicles.

A variety of devices for exchanging heat are used in motor vehicles suchas in vehicle air conditioning systems, cooling circuits or circuits forcooling transmission oil or oil for power assisted steering systems.Application in motor vehicles regularly poses the problem that themounting space available is confined so that the individual devices forexchanging heat must be configured to use as little space as possible.In addition the manufacturers increasingly set store by cost-effectivelymanufacturing each component.

The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an assemblyconfiguration for devices for exchanging heat which both requiresrelatively little space and keeps manufacturing costs low.

The object of the invention is fulfilled by an assembly configurationaccording to claim 1. Preferred embodiments and further developments arethe objects of the subclaims.

The assembly configuration of the invention comprises at least a firstdevice for exchanging heat, having at least one inlet for a first fluidmedium, a header and/or distributor tube for the first fluid medium, aplurality of first flow-through devices for the first fluid medium, acollecting means—referred to below as header—and at least one outlet forthe first fluid medium.

Furthermore, adjacent the first device for exchanging heat the inventionprovides a second device for exchanging heat, having at least an inletfor a second fluid medium, a header and/or distributor tube for thesecond fluid medium, a plurality of second flow-through devices for thesecond fluid medium, and at least one outlet for the second fluidmedium. Said header and/or distributor tube is preferably an elongatedpipe. The second device for exchanging heat may project from the firstdevice for exchanging heat in particular in longitudinal direction.

The header and/or distributor tube serves to distribute the fluid mediumto a plurality of flow-through devices or to collect the fluid mediumpassing into the header and/or distributor tube from the flow-throughdevices.

For this purpose the header and/or distributor tube comprises aplurality of openings for receiving the end portions of the flow-throughdevices. The header and/or distributor tube has a cross-section selectedfrom a group of cross-sections including circular, ellipsoidal, orpolygon cross-sections and combinations thereof.

The flow-through devices are also elongates pipes, in particular flatpipes. Each flat pipe may comprise one or more separate flow channelsfor the fluid medium.

The header comprises preferably at least two openings which serve asinlet and outlet for the fluid medium. In addition a drier and/or filtermeans through which the fluid medium flows is preferably located in theheader. Such a header is described in the German patent DE 4 238 853 C2.It can be used within the scope of the present invention in particularwhere the first device for exchanging heat is configured as a condenserfor the air conditioner of a motor vehicle. The description of DE 4 238853 C2 and in particular the general description in col. 1, line 1, tocol. 2, line 22, and also the description of the preferred embodimentsin col. 2, line 45, to col. 5, line 42, is included by reference in thedisclosure of the present patent application.

The header used within the scope of the present invention can furtherhave the configuration as described in EP 0 669 506 B2 also for thecondenser of an air conditioner for motor vehicles. The generaldescription in col. 1, line 1, to col. 1, line 48, and the particulardescription of the Figures in col. 2, line 4, to col. 5, line 22, ismade the object of disclosure of the present patent application whereinsaid object is significant in particular in the case that a filter meansis to be inserted into the header.

A configuration of the second device adjacent the first device isunderstood to mean that they are not spatially separate but positionedimmediately next to each other and particularly preferably they arestructured integrally or held in the same frame elements. It ispreferred to position the length of the second device for exchangingheat at a long side of the first device for exchanging heat.

Thus the preferred integral manufacture results in that the seconddevice for exchanging heat is integrated into the first device forexchanging heat. Thus both of the devices for exchanging heat can besoldered simultaneously during manufacture which leads to reducedmanufacturing costs. In addition, joint assembly also results in savingspace in the engine compartment.

In a preferred embodiment at least one header and/or distributor tubefor the first fluid medium also serves as the header and/or distributortube for the second fluid medium. For this purpose at least two chambersare provided in the header and/or distributor tube so as to separate thetwo media from one another.

This is furthermore understood to mean that both the flow-throughdevices containing the first fluid medium and the flow-through devicescontaining the second fluid medium open into said at least one headerand/or distributor tube. The assembly configuration preferably comprisestwo header and/or distributor tubes wherein both are intended to receivesubstantially all of the first and the second flow-through devices.Preferably two header and/or distributor tubes are provided in whichboth the first fluid medium and the second fluid medium flow inspecified sections separate from one another.

The flow-through devices preferably comprise two end portions each ofwhich extend into a header and/or distributor tube. Preferably said endportions extend into two different header and/or distributor tubes. Itis also feasible though that each of the end portions extends into thesame header and/or distributor tube. In this case it is preferred thatsuch header and/or distributor tube comprises at least one partitionmeans dividing the header and/or distributor tube into a first chamberinto which the first end portions of the flow-through devices extend,and a second chamber into which the second end portions of theflow-through devices extend. In this way the portions on the inlet sideand the portions on the outlet side of the header and/or distributortubes can be separated from one another.

In another preferred embodiment the plurality of first flow-throughdevices is configured parallel to the plurality of second flow-throughdevices. This means that the longitudinal directions of the flow-throughdevices are parallel relative one another, and preferably cooling finsor the like are provided between the individual flow-through devices soas to enhance exchange of heat with the heat exchanger medium, inparticular air, passing through between the flow-through devices. It isconceivable to effect separation of the first flow-through devices fromthe second flow-through devices by stopping a respective header anddistributor tube.

Preferably the first flow-through devices have substantially the sameouter geometrical shape as the second flow-through devices. Manufacturecan be simplified in this way since flow-through devices do not need tobe produced in different types. However it may be advantageous to usefirst flow-through devices having an outer geometrical shape differentfrom the second flow-through devices.

It is also preferred that the inner geometric shape of the firstflow-through devices and the second flow-through devices are configuredidentical.

However, in particular if the viscosity of the first fluid medium isconsiderably different from that of the second fluid medium, differentinner geometric shapes are selected.

The flow-through devices then comprise one or more flow pathwaysarranged in parallel, each of which has a round, square or triangularcross-section. The cross-sectional shapes may be configured in relativeprecise geometric lines but it is also within the scope of the inventionin particular for square or triangular cross-sections to constructrounded, in particular concave transition regions.

The hydraulic diameters of each one flow-through cross-section arepreferably in the range of 0.3 mm to 10 mm. The hydraulic diameter isdetermined by a formula where the tube cross-section area is multipliedby 4 and then is averaged by the wetted tube circumference.

The first fluid medium is preferably the refrigerant of an airconditioner for motor vehicles. In this case, the first heat exchangeris configured as a condenser. Furthermore the first fluid medium ispreferably a coolant. In this case the first device for exchanging heatis preferably configured as a radiator for a motor vehicle which coolsthe cooling water flowing through the vehicle engine.

In the case of the first device for exchanging heat the hydraulicdiameter is preferably between 0.4 mm and 4 mm, particularly preferredbetween 0.4 and 1.3 mm.

The second fluid medium is preferably a service fluid for motor vehiclespreferably selected from a group including motor oil for lubricatinginternal combustion engines, transmission oil for lubricating automaticor manual gear transmissions, transmission oil for lubricatingdifferentials provided to distribute the motor drive torque to thedriven wheels (wherein said differential may be both a singledifferential in the case of one driven axle and the center differentialin a four-wheel drive vehicle) and the like. The second fluid medium mayfurther include service fluids such as power steering oil, brake fluidor hydraulic oil for operating superstructures of utility vehicles.

In the case of the second device for exchanging heat that cools theservice fluids in vehicles the hydraulic diameter is preferably between0.3 mm and 10 mm, particularly preferred between 0.4 and 8 mm.Preferably the tube wall of the oil cooler, i.e. the second device forexchanging heat has a thickness between 0.2 mm and 1.5 mm, preferablybetween 0.35 and 1.0 mm.

Since the transmission oil cooler and the condenser operate underdifferent conditions, in particular different temperatures ortemperature differences, thermal stresses would occur in theintermediate area between the oil cooler and the condenser. For examplein winter the condenser remains cold since the air conditioner is not inoperation. Still, the oil cooler is exposed to warming and cooling asthe driver first drives and then parks the vehicle. The oil cooler tubeexpands and contracts again while the condenser tube remains unchanged.For this reason the oil cooler tube should be configured strong enoughto withstand the stresses generated by said expansion and contraction.For this reason the wall is preferably thicker than the tube wall in thecase of an independently operated oil-air cooler where no suchheat-induced stresses occur. The thickness of the wall indicated abovebetween 0.35 and 1.0 mm ensures both sufficient strength and reducedmaterial consumption.

In another preferred embodiment at least one header and/or distributortube comprises at least one partition means for separating the firstfluid medium chamber from the second fluid medium chamber. This ispreferably a partition wall inside the header and/or distributor tubewhere none of the two fluid media can pass through.

In a preferred embodiment a flow-through device is provided between thefirst and the second flow-through devices through which substantially nomedium flows. This means that a number of first flow-through devicesconfigured parallel relative to one another is followed by at least oneflow-through device in which no medium flows, followed in turn by anumber of second flow-through devices in which the second fluid mediumflows. Said flow-through device, in which substantially no fluid mediumflows, is intended to thermally insulate the first flow-through devicesfrom the second flow-through devices. Thermal separation between said“blind” flow-through devices and the adjacent first and secondflow-through devices may be configured both with and without coolingfins. In another preferred embodiment the end portion of a flow-throughdevice, where substantially no fluid medium flows, extends into aportion of the header and/or distributor tube which is delimited bypartition walls on both sides. Between said two partition wallssubstantially no fluid medium is provided.

In another preferred embodiment the header is configured substantiallyparallel to the header and/or distributor tube. Said header has across-section selected from a group of cross-sections including circularor polygon cross-sections and combinations thereof.

The header is preferably shorter than the header and/or distributortube. It is particularly preferred that the length of the header issubstantially identical with the length of the portion of the headerand/or distributor tube in which the first fluid medium flows. Thismeans that the header has substantially the same length as the firstdevice for exchanging heat. However, the header may also be longer orshorter than the first device for exchanging heat.

In another preferred embodiment the header is positioned laterallydisplaced relative a plane spanned by the flow-through devices or moreprecisely by the flow-through devices in their entirety.

In another preferred embodiment the number of first flow-through devicesis larger than the number of second flow-through devices. This alsomeans that the first device for exchanging heat covers a larger lateralsurface or more precisely a larger space than the second device forexchanging heat.

Preferably at least one header and/or distributor tube, particularlypreferred both header and/or distributor tubes, comprises a plurality ofpartition means or partition walls. In this way the first fluid mediumis directed back and forth a number of times between the header anddistributor tubes in the first device for exchanging heat.

In another preferred embodiment at least one additional device forexchanging heat is attached to the first or the second device forexchanging heat. Said first device can preferably be positioned betweenthe second device and the additional device for exchanging heat.

In another embodiment the second device for exchanging heat or anadditional device for exchanging heat is positioned substantiallyparallel to a header and/or distributor tube. It is also feasible toconfigure the second device for exchanging heat such that the planespanned by the first flow-through devices and the plane spanned by thesecond flow-through devices are parallel relative to one another. Inthis case the second device for exchanging heat is positioned in frontor to the rear of the first device for exchanging heat, seen in the airflow direction.

Preferably the second device for exchanging heat is a device selectedfrom a group of devices for exchanging heat including oil coolers forpower steering, transmission oil coolers and the like.

Preferably the inlet and the outlet of the second device for exchangingheat are positioned at opposite end portions of the second device forexchanging heat. This means that in the present embodiment the secondfluid medium, i.e. preferably the oil, enters into a first header anddistributor tube, is distributed there substantially to all of thesecond flow-through devices, collects in the second header anddistributor tube and flows off through the outlet.

In another embodiment the inlet and the outlet of the second device forexchanging heat are preferably positioned at the same end portion of thesecond device for exchanging heat. In this case the second fluid mediumfirst passes through a specified number of flow-through devices from thefirst header and/or distributor tube into the second header and/ordistributor tube, returns from there through another part of theflow-through device into the first header and/or distributor tube and onto the outlet. In this case the header and distributor tube to which theinlet and the outlet are attached, preferably comprises a partitionmeans or a partition wall positioned perpendicular to the longitudinaldirection of the pipe.

In another preferred embodiment the longitudinal direction at least ofthe inlet or the outlet of the second device for exchanging heat ispositioned relative to the plane spanned between the flow-throughdevices in their entirety at a specified angle. Said angle is between 0degrees and 70 degrees, preferred between 0 degrees and 40 degrees, andparticularly preferred between 5 degrees and 30 degrees.

Further advantages and embodiments of the assembly configuration of theinvention can be taken from the accompanying drawings.

These show in:

FIG. 1 a a schematic illustration of the assembly configuration of theinvention in a first embodiment;

FIG. 1 b a schematic illustration of the assembly configuration of theinvention in another embodiment;

FIG. 2 a a top view of the assembly configuration of the invention;

FIG. 2 b a side view of the assembly configuration of the invention;

FIG. 2 c a top plan view of the assembly configuration of the invention;

FIG. 2 d a view of the bottom surface of the assembly configuration ofthe invention;

FIG. 3 a connecting device for the inlets and outlets of the firstdevice for exchanging heat;

FIG. 4 an enlarged view of the assembly configuration of the invention;

FIG. 5 an illustration of the header for the assembly configuration ofthe invention;

FIG. 6 an enlarged bottom view of the assembly configuration of theinvention;

FIG. 7 a an enlarged side view of the assembly configuration of theinvention;

FIG. 7 b another side view of the assembly configuration of theinvention;

FIG. 8 a detailed view of another embodiment of the assemblyconfiguration of the invention.

FIG. 1 a is a schematic illustration of the assembly configuration ofthe invention. Reference numeral 1 refers to a first device forexchanging heat, reference numeral 2 to a second device for exchangingheat. The length of the second device 2 for exchanging heat is placed ata long side of the first device for exchanging heat. Reference numeral 5indicates a header that is a component of the first device 1 forexchanging heat. Reference numerals 8 and 9 indicate an outlet and aninlet for feeding refrigerant into the first device 1 for exchangingheat and discharging it. Reference numeral 22 indicates an inlet for asecond fluid medium into the second device 2 for exchanging heat andreference numeral 21 an outlet for the second fluid medium. In this casethere is a single flow through the second device 2 for exchanging heatwhich may for example be an oil cooler for power steering.Alternatively, the second device for exchanging heat may be positionedbeneath the first device 1 for exchanging heat which is illustrated bythe dashed illustration of the device 2. In this case the second device2 for exchanging heat is positioned beneath the supercooling zone of thefirst device for exchanging heat which in the present embodiment is acondenser.

FIG. 1 b illustrates the assembly configuration of the invention inanother embodiment. In contrast to the second devices 2 for exchangingheat shown in FIG. 1 a, the second devices 2 for exchanging heat shownin FIG. 1 b comprise both the inlet 21 and the outlet 22 at one end faceof the device. In this case the oil entering into the second device 2 isdeflected inside the device, i.e. it flows first from the left to theright and then back from the right to the left in FIG. 1 b.

FIG. 2 a is a top view of the assembly configuration of the invention.It comprises a first header and distributor tube 4 and a second headerand distributor tube 3. A plurality of first flow-through devices 12 anda plurality of second flow-through devices 24 are configured betweensaid header and distributor tubes. Reference numeral 5 indicates aheader configured parallel to the header and distributor tube 3.Reference numerals 6 refer to retaining means for attaching the assemblyconfiguration for example to the frame of a car body. Reference numeral9 indicates an inlet for a refrigerant at the first device forexchanging heat and reference numeral 8 an outlet for the refrigerant.Reference numeral 21 indicates an inlet for the second fluid medium intothe second device 2 for exchanging heat and reference numeral 22 anoutlet for the second fluid medium. Reference numeral 11 indicates aconnecting device for the inlets and outlets 9 and 8 of the first device1 for exchanging heat.

The length of the flow-through devices 12 and 24 is between 100 mm and1000 mm, preferred between 300 mm and 800 mm, and particularly preferredbetween 500 mm and 620 mm. The length L of the device is between 200 mmand 1100 mm, preferred between 400 mm and 900 mm, and particularlypreferred between 600 mm and 700 mm. The width B of the assemblyconfiguration is between 100 mm and 600 mm, preferred between 200 mm and500 mm, and particularly preferred between 350 mm and 400 mm. The lengthof the header is between 300 mm and 600 mm, preferred between 200 mm and500 mm, and particularly preferred between 300 mm and 350 mm.

FIG. 2 b is a side view of the assembly configuration of the invention.Reference numeral 11 indicates the connecting device for the inlets andoutlets 9 and 8. Reference numeral 22 indicates the outlet for thesecond device 2 for exchanging heat. It can be seen that the inlet 9comprises a number of angled regions. Reference numerals 27 and 25indicate retaining means for fastening the connecting device 11.

FIG. 2 c is a bottom view of the assembly configuration of theinvention. Reference numeral 12 refers to the plurality of flow-throughdevices of the first device 1 for exchanging heat. As can be taken fromFIG. 2 c, the longitudinal direction of the inlets and outlets 21 and 22of the second device 2 for exchanging heat is angled relative thelongitudinal direction of the flow-through devices 24.

FIG. 2 d is another side view of the assembly configuration of theinvention. In this case it can also be seen that the inlets and outlets9 and 8 comprise angled portions. The length of the portion 9 a whichruns substantially parallel to the header and distributor tube 4 can becustomized to fit the structural conditions in the engine compartment.The reference numerals 14 a, 14 b and 14 c indicate partition wallsplaced in the header and distributor tube 4 which substantially prohibitflow of the fluid media in a horizontal direction. A flow-through device12 is preferably positioned between the two partition means 14 a and 14b through which substantially no fluid medium flows. This configurationserves as thermal insulation as specified above. In this embodiment thesecond device 2 for exchanging heat is positioned to the left of thepartition means 14 a and to the right of the partition means 14 b, thefirst device 1 for exchanging heat. This means that the first fluidmedium is located to the right of the partition means 14 b, whereas thesecond fluid medium flows at the left of the partition means 14 a. Inthis way the fluid media are maintained spaced apart at least by thedistance between the partition means 14 a and 14 b.

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the connecting device 11. It comprisesreceiving areas 65 and 67 for receiving the inlet and outlet 9 and 8.The end portions of the inlets and outlets 9 and 8 preferably compriseenlarged regions for receiving additional tube portions. Referencenumeral 64 indicates an opening for inserting a retaining means 25 and27. Said retaining means 25 and 27 are preferably threaded for screwinginto the openings 64 and 63 above. The connecting device 11 ispreferably configured at a specified angle relative the longitudinaldirection of the header and distributor tube 4. Said angle is preferablybetween 0 degrees and 50 degrees, preferred between 0 degrees and 30degrees, and particularly preferred between 0 degrees and 20 degrees.

FIG. 4 is another enlarged side view of the assembly configuration ofthe invention. The angle at which the connecting device 11 is positionedrelative the header and distributor tube 3, 4 can also clearly be seen.It can further be seen that a lid 59 is attached to the header 5 so asto open the header 5.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the header 5. It comprises at its inside adrier and/or filter unit that serves to filter or dry the refrigerant.Reference numeral 57 refers to a housing to receive the drier and filtermeans in which for example granulated drier material is provided.Reference numeral 52 indicates a sealing means for closing the header 5to be fluid-tight against the ambience when the lid 59 is closed.Reference numeral 56 is a lower housing component where the drier andfilter means are positioned.

FIG. 6 is another bottom view of the assembly configuration of theinvention. One can see the curved portions of the inlets and outlets 9and 8 and the inlet 21 for the second device 2 for exchanging heat.

FIG. 7 a is an enlarged bottom view of the assembly configuration of theinvention. It can be seen that the longitudinal direction of the outlet22 of the second device 2 for exchanging heat runs at a specified angleβ relative to the longitudinal direction of the flow-through devices 12or 24. Said angle is between 0 degrees and 40 degrees, preferred between5 degrees and 20 degrees, and particularly preferred between 8 degreesand 12 degrees.

The inlet 21 is also preferably configured at a specified angle relativeto the longitudinal direction of the flow-through device 24. Said anglegamma is preferably between 0 degrees and 50 degrees, preferred between10 degrees and 30 degrees, and particularly preferred between 18 degreesand 24 degrees.

Reference numeral 14 indicates a frame element that serves as astabilizer both of the first device 1 and the second device 2 forexchanging heat.

FIG. 7 b is a second side view of the assembly configuration of theinvention. It can be seen that the header 5 is laterally displacedrelative to the plane E spanned by the flow-through devices. Referencenumeral 6 in turn indicates a retaining means for the assemblyconfiguration of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a detailed view of another assembly configuration of theinvention wherein the header is not illustrated. In this embodiment boththe inlet and the outlet of the second device for exchanging heat arepositioned at the same end portion of the device. The partition wall 14a serves to partition the region on the inlet side from the region onthe outlet side to be substantially tight.

Two partition walls 14 b and 14 c are also illustrated. A flow-throughdevice 35 through which substantially no fluid medium flows ispositioned below the portion defined by the two partition means 14 b and14 c. Instead of a “blind” flow-through device, both the presentembodiment and the embodiments illustrated above may be provided with aseparator 35 whose outer dimensions preferably correspond to the outerdimensions of the flow-through devices but particularly preferred has afull cross-section, i.e. no flow channels, compared to the flow-throughdevices.

1. An assembly configuration for devices for exchanging heat, comprisingat least a first device (1) for exchanging heat, having at least aninlet (9) for a first fluid medium, a header and/or distributor tube forthe first fluid medium, a plurality of first flow-through devices (12)for the first fluid medium, a header (5) and at least an outlet (8) forthe first fluid medium; adjacent the first device (1) for exchangingheat, at least a second device (2) for exchanging heat having at leastan inlet (21) for a second fluid medium, a header and/or distributortube for the second fluid medium, a plurality of second flow-throughdevices (24) for the second fluid medium, and at least an outlet (22)for the second fluid medium.
 2. The assembly configuration according toclaim 1, characterized in that at least one header and/or distributortube (3, 4) for the first fluid medium also serves as the header and/ordistributor tube (3, 4) for the second fluid medium.
 3. A deviceaccording to at least one of the preceding claims, characterized in thattwo header and/or distributor tubes are provided in which both the firstfluid medium and the second fluid medium flow in specified sections. 4.The assembly configuration of at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that at least one flow-through device comprises two endportions each, both of which extend into a header and/or distributortube.
 5. The assembly configuration of at least one of the precedingclaims, characterized in that the plurality of first flow-throughdevices (12) is configured parallel to the plurality of secondflow-through devices (24).
 6. The assembly configuration of at least oneof the preceding claims, characterized in that the first flow-throughdevices (12) have substantially the same outer geometrical shape as thesecond flow-through devices (24).
 7. The assembly configuration of atleast one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the firstflow-through devices (12) have substantially a different outergeometrical shape than the second flow-through devices (24).
 8. Theassembly configuration of at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the first fluid medium is a refrigerant.
 9. Theassembly configuration of at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the second fluid medium is oil.
 10. The assemblyconfiguration of at least one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat at least one header and/or distributor tube (3, 4) comprises atleast one partition means for separating the first fluid medium from thesecond fluid medium.
 11. The assembly configuration of at least one ofthe preceding claims, characterized in that a flow-through device isprovided between the first (12) and the second flow-through devices (24)through which substantially no first or second medium flows.
 12. Theassembly configuration of at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the first and the second flow-through devices (12,24) are only separated by a partition wall positioned at least in aheader and/or distributor tube (3, 4).
 13. The assembly configuration ofat least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the header(5) is configured substantially parallel to the header and/ordistributor tube (3, 4).
 14. The assembly configuration of at least oneof the preceding claims, characterized in that the header (5) is shorterthan the header and/or distributor tube (3, 4).
 15. The assemblyconfiguration of at least one of the preceding claims, characterized inthat the length of the header (5) is substantially identical with thelength of the section of the header and/or distributor tube (3, 4) inwhich the first fluid medium flows.
 16. The assembly configuration of atleast one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the header (5)is laterally displaced relative to the plane (E) spanned by theflow-through devices (12, 24).
 17. The assembly configuration of atleast one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the number ofthe first flow-through devices (12) is larger than the number of thesecond flow-through devices (24).
 18. The assembly configuration of atleast one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an additionaldevice for exchanging heat is attached to the first (1) or the seconddevice (2) for exchanging heat.
 19. The assembly configuration of atleast one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seconddevice for exchanging heat is selected from a group of devices forexchanging heat including oil coolers for power assisted steering,transmission oil coolers and the like.
 20. The assembly configuration ofat least one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inlet(21) and the outlet (22) of the second device (2) for exchanging heatare positioned at opposite end portions of the second device (2) forexchanging heat.
 21. The assembly configuration of at least one of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the inlet (21) and the outlet(22) of the second device (2) for exchanging heat are positioned at thesame end portions of the second device for exchanging heat.
 22. Theassembly configuration of at least one of the preceding claims,characterized in that the longitudinal direction at least of the inlet(21) or the outlet of the second device (2) for exchanging heat ispositioned opposite to the plane (E) spanned between the flow-throughdevices (24) at a specified angle.
 23. The assembly configuration of atleast one of the preceding claims, characterized in that separation ofthe first flow-through devices (12) from the second flow-through devices(24) is effected by stopping a respective header and distributor tube(3, 4).